Why are there multiple models of same device?

Hello,

I am confused on why there are two separate models of several electronic components in the simscape library. For example, there are two types of MOSFET blocks ("Simscape/Electrical/Semiconductors & Converters" & "Simscape/Electrical/Specialized Power Systems/Fundamental Blocks/Power Electronics") and two types of voltage sources ("Simscape/Electrical/Sources" & "Simscape/Electrical/Specialized Power Systems/Fundamental Blocks/Electrical Sources").

For each example, one component seems to be in the "physical domain" and the other in the "simulink domain." I can't hook one up to the other. My understanding is that simscape introduces physical components because real electrical components are bidirectional, and simulink components don't have a great way to represent that since it is for control schemes.

What is the underlying difference between these blocks (other than the obvious differences in parameterization that is explained on their respective webpages)? Why would I use one over the other? Which one is better for developing a power supply transfer function (I'm assuming physical is defintely better for transient simulation)? How do the simulink domain parts work at all if they are one directional; is it because they are completely linear and essentially have no gate current, etc? If I have a complicated design (10+ switches), are the simulink components more likley to converge?

Thanks.

Answer 1

[Andrew]

Simscape Electrical provides two simulation technologies - as per the link in the answer above: Libraries Compatible with Simscape Technology and Specialized Power Systems Library.

For low-detail semiconductor models you can use either technology. For multidomain models, and models with options to add higher levels of detail, use the blocks which are compatible with Simscape Technology.

The recommended approach is to build your entire model in one of the technologies. Unfortunately, it's not possible to directly connect blocks from multiple technologies although converter blocks are provided should it be necessary.

Both technologies are in active development.

Answer 2

[Jonas]

As you may have noticed, Simscape contains many physical domains out of the box in the Foundation Library, such as mechanical, thermal, magnetic, hydraulic, and also electrical. With a more specific license, such as Simscape Electrical, you gain access to an additional library of blocks in the electrical world, such as IGBTs, motors, transformers, etc. These electrical blocks, sometimes interface with other domains in the Foundation Library. An asynchronous motor for example, interfaces with the electrical and mechanical domain. An IGBT, can be enabled to interface with the electrical and thermal domain. The interaction between domains is easy and straight-forward in Simscape.

On the other hand, we have the library 'Specialized Power Systems' inside Simscape Electrical. This is a separate, confined domain available within Simscape to model certain electrical systems. It does NOT interact with the other domains in Simscape and gives you significant limitations. However, certain components may be modeled more extensively in this domain opposed to the other blocks in the Simscape Electrical library.

As far as I know, the 'Specialized Power Systems' library was available earlier than the other electrical blocks, and is kind of a legacy library. It is still available for people who have simulation models in this domain, or for people who do not need interaction with other Simscape domains.

I would strongly recommend to reside to blocks other than 'Specialized Power Systems'. I am even unsure if this library is still under maintenance and development (MathWorks staff may have the answer on this).

More info can be found on this link: https://nl.mathworks.com/help/physmod/sps/ug/simscape-electrical-block-libraries.html